Turning over a new leaf in San Antonio Botanical Garden

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Botanical Garden plans to break ground on a nearly $17 million expansion this summer.

The nonprofit organization that operates the Botanical Garden has secured approximately eight acres immediately south of its existing site.

It plans to develop a new Welcome & Discovery Center featuring multiple classrooms, a culinary garden and an outdoor kitchen area.

The project will also include the construction of a new parking garden with about 150 additional spaces, as well as a new display garden and a 2.5-acre family adventure area.

“This will be the most transformative expansion in our history,” said Botanical Garden Executive Director Bob Brackman. “We hope to break ground in July or August.” The project is expected to take between 15 and 18 months to complete.

The additional acreage is bordered by Old Austin Rd., Funston Place, North New Braunfels Ave. and Pinkney St.

Roughly 130,000 people visited the Botanical Garden in 2014. Brackman expects the 2015 count to surpass that figure.

“We are expecting at least a 35 percent increase in traffic as a result,” Brackman said.